Tim Burton's unrealized projects#Conversations with Vincent
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File:Tim Burton by Gage Skidmore.jpg
The following is a list of unproduced Tim Burton projects, in roughly chronological order. During a career that has spanned over 30 years, Tim Burton has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction.{{cite web|last=Lyttelton|first=Oliver|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/10-unmade-tim-burton-films-from-after-hours-to-superman-lives-more-110583/|title=10 Unmade Tim Burton Films: From 'After Hours' To 'Superman Lives' & More|website=IndieWire|date=May 11, 2012|access-date=December 23, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Sam|url=https://www.looper.com/281199/tim-burton-movies-well-never-get-to-see/|title=Tim Burton Movies We'll Never Get To See|website=Looper|date=February 22, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2023}}
1980s
=''After Hours''=
Burton was originally attached to direct the 1985 film After Hours, but Martin Scorsese read the script at a time when he was unable to get financial backing to complete The Last Temptation of Christ, which was finally completed in 1988. Burton gladly stepped aside when Scorsese expressed interest in directing After Hours.{{cite AV media notes|title=Filming for Your Life: The Making of After Hours"|type=Bonus feature|publisher=Warner Home Video|location=Burbank, California|id=B000286RNE|year=2004}}
=''Big Top Pee-wee''=
After the 1985 film, Burton was offered the opportunity to direct Big Top Pee-wee,{{Harvnb|Salisbury|Burton|2006|p=52}} but had no interest and was already working on his own pet project, Beetlejuice.
=''Hot to Trot''=
After the success of Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), and before his hiring of Beetlejuice (1988), Warner Bros. sent Burton various scripts. He was disheartened by their lack of imagination and originality, one of them being Hot to Trot (1988).Salisbury, Burton, p.54
=''House of Wax''=
Burton was set to direct a remake of House of Wax with pop singer Michael Jackson to star in it.{{cite web|last=Bovingdon|first=Edward|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-editors/tim-burton-tried-michael-jackson-movie-163010194.html?guccounter=1|title=Tim Burton's crazy Michael Jackson movie idea|website=Yahoo!|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Goodfellow|first=Melanie|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/tim-burton-talks-studio-career-johnny-depp-house-of-wax-musical-michael-jackson-lumiere-festival-1235152040/|title=Tim Burton Talks "Strange Phenomenon" Of Studio Career, Connection With Johnny Depp & 'House Of Wax' Musical With Michael Jackson That Got Away – Lumière Festival|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 21, 2022|access-date=December 21, 2023}}
1990s
=''Conversations with Vincent''=
Burton held a fascination with Vincent Price films since his childhood. He first worked with the actor on the 1982 short film Vincent, and a second collaboration on the 1983 television film Hansel and Gretel . During the production of Edward Scissorhands (1990), in which Price portrayed the inventor, Burton conceived the idea of making an independent documentary film on the actor,Hanke, pp. 116, 187 using the working title Conversations with Vincent.Salisbury, Burton, pp. 98 With self-financing from his own production company, Burton shot the film in black-and-white over a three-day period at the Vincent Price Gallery in East Los Angeles College in April 1991. In addition to Price, Roger Corman and Samuel Z. Arkoff were interviewed. Conversations with Vincent was stalled when Burton went to work on Batman Returns (1992), and after Price's death in October 1993. In December 1994, it was announced that Burton was returning to the hour-long documentary. Lucy Chase Williams, author of The Complete Films of Vincent Price, was working as a consultant. The film likely would have been released in the direct-to-video market,{{cite magazine | author = Staff | url = https://ew.com/article/1994/12/09/upcoming-projects-tim-burton-and-keanu-reeves/ | title = Upcoming Projects for Tim Burton and Keanu Reeves | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | date = 1994-12-09 | access-date = 2009-07-03}} but the project was ultimately abandoned and remains unfinished.
=''Mai, the Psychic Girl''=
Beginning in the late 1980s, new wave rock band Sparks attempted to make the Japanese manga Mai, the Psychic Girl into a musical, with interest from Burton and Carolco Pictures,{{cite news | author = Jay Carr | title = Batman to battle DeVito's Penguin | work = The Boston Globe| date = 1991-03-03}} who purchased the film rights in August 1991. Carolco hoped Burton would start production in 1992, but he chose to work on The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ed Wood for Touchstone Pictures.{{cite news | author = Jeff Yang| url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/08/06/apop080609.DTL| title = The Pokémon generation grows up | work = San Francisco Chronicle| date = 2009-08-06|accessdate = 2010-11-06}} The option on the film rights eventually expired, and Burton dropped out.{{cite news | author = Joseph Galliano | url =http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/classical/article6895801.ece| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110615085000/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/classical/article6895801.ece| url-status =dead| archive-date =June 15, 2011| title = Striking Sparks with Bergman| work = The Sunday Times| date = 2009-10-30 | accessdate = 2010-11-06}} Francis Ford Coppola later developed the property in the late 1990s. In June 2000, Sony Pictures Entertainment started on a different project with Kirk Wong attached to direct.{{cite news | author = Dana Harris | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117782459 | title =Wong to helm SPE's 'Psychic' | work = Variety | date = 2000-06-11 | accessdate = 2010-10-26}} By February 2001, a script had been written by Lisa Addario and Joey Syracuse for Sony's Columbia Pictures.{{cite news | author = Claude Brodesser; Cathy Dunkley | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117794526 | title =U opens its heart to Addario, Syracuse spec| work = Variety | date = 2001-02-18 | accessdate = 2010-10-26}} The release of The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, a radio musical by Sparks, in August 2009, was informed by the six years the band spent trying to get their Mai, the Psychic Girl produced. The album generated new interest, and gained a "second wind", vocalist Russell Mael explained. "The music is all ready and we are hoping that this still might see the light of day." On May 18, 2010, Burton expressed renewed interest in adapting the property.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/tim-burton-mai-psychic-girl-ross-60405/|title=Tim Burton Directing 'Mai, the Psychic Girl'?|last=Miller|first=Ross|publisher=Screenrant.com|date=2010-05-18|accessdate=2014-03-14}}
=''The Addams Family''=
During pre-production of The Addams Family (1991), Burton was considered and approached to direct the film by producer Scott Rudin, but was unable to accept the position due to his commitment to Batman Returns. Filmmaker Terry Gilliam was then approached, but also turned it down, before Barry Sonnenfeld ultimately accepted.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/addams-family-barry-sonnenfeld-30th-anniversary-cher-forrest-gump-1235089568/ | title=Barry Sonnenfeld on the 30th Anniversary of 'The Addams Family' and Turning Down 'Forrest Gump' | website=Variety| date=14 October 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1129724/tim-burton-turned-down-the-chance-to-direct-1991s-the-addams-family/ | title=Tim Burton Turned Down the Chance to Direct 1991's the Addams Family | website=/Film| date=11 December 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/addams-family-1991-tim-burton-direct-rejected-details/ | title=Tim Burton Turned Down Directing the 1991 Addams Family Movie | website=Screen Rant | date=16 October 2021}}
=''Stay Tuned''=
Morgan Creek Productions originally wanted Burton to direct Stay Tuned because of his work on Beetlejuice and his art style, but Burton left the project to direct Batman Returns, the sequel to his 1989 Batman film, and was replaced by Peter Hyams while having some of the art styles paying tribute to Burton.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/stay-tuned/55430/looking-back-at-stay-tuned|title=Looking back at Stay Tuned|last=Childs|first=Paul|website=denofgeek|accessdate=February 22, 2018|date=July 18, 2018}}
=''Jurassic Park''=
Before Michael Crichton's novel Jurassic Park was published, Hollywood studios were highly interested in purchasing the film rights. This included Warner Bros. and Burton, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Richard Donner, and 20th Century Fox and Joe Dante.Joseph McBride (1997). Steven Spielberg: A Biography. Faber and Faber, 416–9. {{ISBN|0-571-19177-0}} Universal Pictures acquired the rights in May 1990 for Steven Spielberg, resulting in the 1993 film adaptation.Jurassic Park DVD production notes
=''Mary Reilly''=
Producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber acquired the film rights to Mary Reilly in 1989, and optioned them for Warner Bros. with Roman Polanski as director. When Guber became CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment later that year, he moved Mary Reilly to Sony's sister company, TriStar Pictures, where Burton was approached to direct with Denise Di Novi to produce in 1991. Christopher Hampton was hired to write the screenplay, and Burton signed on as director in January 1993, after he approved over Hampton's rewrite.{{cite news | author = Claudia Eller | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR102864 | title = Fox mulls playing 'Pat' hand; TriStar woos Woo | work = Variety | date = 1993-01-11 | accessdate = 2010-10-30}} He intended to start filming in January 1994, after he completed Ed Wood,{{cite news | author = Staff | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR103729 | title = TriStar Pictures slate for 1993 | work = Variety | date = 1993-02-04 | accessdate = 2010-10-30}} but Burton dropped out in May 1993 over his anger against Guber for putting Ed Wood in turnaround. Stephen Frears was TriStar's first choice to replace Burton, and Di Novi was fired and replaced with Ned Tanen.{{cite news | author = Claudia Eller | url =https://www.variety.com/article/VR106493 | title = Burton's off 'Reilly' | work = Variety | date = 1993-05-03 | accessdate = 2010-10-30}} The film ended up becoming the critically and commercially unsuccessful Mary Reilly in 1996, starring Julia Roberts and John Malkovich.
=''Catwoman''=
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="After the traumas of Batman Returns she has amnesia, and she doesn't really remember why she has all these bullet holes in her body, so she goes to relax in Oasisburg. What Gotham City is to New York City, Oasisburg is to Las Vegas-Los Angeles-Palm Springs. [It's a] resort area in the middle of the desert. It's run by superheroes, and the movie has great fun at making fun at the whole male superhero mythos. Then they end up being not very good at all deep down, and she's got to go back to that whole Catwoman thing."|source=—Daniel Waters on his script for Catwoman}}
Batman Returns would be the last film in the Warner Bros. Batman film series that featured Burton and Michael Keaton as director and leading actor. With Batman Forever, Warner Bros. decided to go in a "lighter" direction to be more mainstream in the process of a family film. Burton had no interest in returning to direct a sequel, but was credited as producer.Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, Joel Schumacher, The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight: Reinventing a Hero, 2005, Warner Home Video With Warner Bros. moving on development for Batman Forever in June 1993, a Catwoman spin-off was announced. Michelle Pfeiffer was to reprise her role, with the character not to appear in Forever because of her own spin-off.{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR107881 | title = Dish | work = Variety | date = 1993-06-17 | accessdate = 2008-08-14}}
Burton became attached as director, while producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters also returned.{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR109036 | title = Another life at WB for Catwoman and Burton? | work = Variety | date = 1993-07-22 | accessdate = 2008-08-14}} In January 1994, Burton was unsure of his plans to direct Catwoman or an adaptation of "The Fall of the House of Usher".{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR117395 | title = Seagal on the pulpit may be too much for WB | work = Variety | date = 1994-01-13 | accessdate = 2008-08-14}} On June 16, 1995, Waters turned in his Catwoman script to Warner Bros., the same day Batman Forever was released. Burton was still being courted to direct. Waters joked, "Turning it in the day Batman Forever opened may not have been my best logistical move, in that it's the celebration of the fun-for-the-whole-family Batman. Catwoman is definitely not a fun-for-the-whole-family script."Judy Sloane (August 1995). "Daniel Waters on Writing", Film Review, pp. 67–69 In an August 1995 interview, Pfeiffer re-iterated her interest in the spin-off, but explained her priorities would be challenged as a mother and commitments to other projects.{{cite news | author = Tim Egan | title = Michelle Pfeiffer, Sensuous to Sensible | work = The New York Times | date = 1995-08-06}} The film labored in development hell for years, with Pfeiffer replaced by Ashley Judd. The film ended up becoming the critically panned Catwoman (2004), starring Halle Berry.{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | url = https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117796285 | title = WB: Judd purr-fect as Cat | work = Variety | date = 2001-04-02 | accessdate = 2008-08-14}}{{cite web | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/catwoman/ | title = Catwoman | work = Rotten Tomatoes | accessdate = 2008-08-15}}
=''Batman Continues''=
{{quote box|quote="I always hated those titles like Batman Forever. That sounds like a tattoo that somebody would get when they're on drugs or something. Or something some kid would write in the yearbook."|source=—Tim Burton{{sfn|Salisbury|Burton|2000|p=155}}|align=right|width=25em
}}
During the early development of the cancelled Catwoman spin-off, Burton expressed his interest in directing the third installment of the Batman film series that began with Batman in 1989, which would have been titled Batman Continues.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizGvUlAybY|title=Tim Burton's Biography & The Directors Batman Segments|author=Kamdan|date=21 June 2014|via=YouTube}}{{Cite web|date=2020-02-08|title=What Tim Burton's Batman 3 Would've Looked Like (& Why It Didn't Happen)|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-3-movie-tim-burton-sequel-riddler-catwoman-cancelled-reason/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}} But Warner Bros. was not interested in Tim Burton's return as director.{{cite magazine |title=Batman 3 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1993/10/01/batman-3 |date=October 1, 1993 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921055255/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C308195%2C00.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=live}} Burton noted he was unsure about returning to direct, writing: "I don't think Warner Bros. wanted me to direct a third Batman. I even said that to them."{{sfn|Salisbury|Burton|2000|p=143}} Burton and Warner Bros. mutually agreed to part ways, though Burton would stay on as producer with Peter MacGregor-Scott. Warner Bros. was not happy with merchandise sales based on the second movie, they decided to change him and Burton put Joel Schumacher as the director of the third installment, leading to the release of Batman Forever, in which Burton was given top-billing producer credit, without being able to contribute ideas; only hiring director and screenplayers.{{cite web|url=http://www.batman-online.com/features/2011/9/3/interview-with-batman-forever-screenwriter-janet-scott-batchler|title=Interview with Batman Forever's Janet Scott Batchler|publisher=Batman Online|date=September 3, 2011}}
=''Cabin Boy''=
In 1993, Burton was set to direct Cabin Boy,{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/04/26/director-of-cabin-boy-explains-where-things-went-south/|title=Director of Cabin Boy Explains Where Things Went South|last=Getlen|first=Larry|publisher=NYPost|date=April 26, 2014|accessdate=July 16, 2018}} but left to direct Ed Wood. Adam Resnick eventually directed the 1994 film, with Burton in a producer role.
=''Dennis the Menace''=
When Warner Bros. Pictures agreed to produce Dennis the Menace in 1993, Production President Terry Semel wanted Burton to direct. The executive producer Ernest Chambers refused and instead hired John Hughes as a writer and producer based on his work with the Home Alone films.{{Cite web|title=Dennis the Menace|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59505-DENNIS-THE-MENACE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-12-03|website=catalog.afi.com}}
=''The Fall of the House of Usher''=
In 1994, Burton was close to directing an adaptation of the Edgar Allan Poe short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" with a screenplay by Jonathan Gems;{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1994/voices/columns/seagal-on-the-pulpit-may-be-too-much-for-wb-117395/|title=Seagal on the pulpit may be too much for WB|first=Michael|last=Fleming|date=13 January 1994}} he chose to direct Mars Attacks! instead.
=''The Hawkline Monster''=
Burton was to direct The Hawkline Monster, a western/monster film that was to star Clint Eastwood and Jack Nicholson, with a screenplay by Jonathan Gems; he chose to direct Mars Attacks! instead.{{cite news|author=Arran McDermott|url=http://www.timburtoncollective.com/unfinished.html#hawkline|title=Unrealised Projects|work=The Tim Burton Collective|year=2006}}
=''Go Baby Go''=
Burton considered directing Go Baby Go, a beach film in the style of filmmaker Russ Meyer, with a screenplay by Jonathan Gems. The screenplay was about three go-go dancers who after exposed to toxic chemicals, become 50 feet tall and rampage across several beaches in California. Burton and Gems left the project after they learned HBO was
remaking Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. Burton would go on to direct Mars Attacks! which was written by Gems.{{cite web|url=https://geektyrant.com/news/2009/6/10/tim-burton-projects-that-never-made-it-to-the-screen.html|title=TIM BURTON projects that NEVER MADE it to the screen|last=Reyes|first=Eli|website=geektyrant|accessdate=July 18, 2018|date=2009}}
=''Geek Love''=
Burton bought the rights to Geek Love by Katherine Dunn in the 1990s. The story, about a traveling circus that uses chemicals to create genuine freaks, seemed perfect for Burton, but there has been no word about it since. In an interview with Dunn, she stated, "He's got the rights. That's half the battle right there. Though it no longer seems like something he'd do. It's a little too horror for him now in my opinion. Though I would love to see this film get made."{{cite news|last=Rosenblum|first=Eric|url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/katherine-dunns-dark-carnival-of-desire|title=Katherine Dunn's Dark Carnival of Desire|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=December 1, 2022|access-date=December 21, 2023}}
=''Weird Tales'' television series=
In 1995, Burton was reportedly set to collaborate with directors Oliver Stone and Francis Ford Coppola on an anthology series for HBO based on Weird Tales, a collection of horror short stories written by the likes of H. P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch. Burton was to executive produce and direct one of three episodes in a 90-minute pilot.{{cite magazine|author=Variety Staff|url=https://variety.com/1995/more/news/top-helmers-on-tales-team-sky-high-sly-price-99127980/|title=Top helmers on 'Tales' team... Sky-high Sly price|magazine=Variety|date=April 10, 1995|access-date=April 14, 2024}}
=''Dinosaurs Attack!''=
Around 1995, writer Jonathan Gems wrote a screenplay for a film adaptation of Dinosaurs Attack!, with Burton as director. However, both Burton and Gems came to the conclusion that the project was too similar to Jurassic Park.{{cite web|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/5963344/these-terrifying-dinosaurs-attack-trading-cards-from-the-1980s-traumatized-an-entire-generation|title=These terrifying Dinosaurs Attack! trading cards from the 1980s traumatized an entire generation|first=George|last=Dvorsky|date=26 November 2012}}
=''Toots and the Upside Down House''=
In 1996, when Burton was the CEO and founder of Walt Disney Animation Studios' stop-motion studio division Skellington Productions, he was going to produce the studio's planned third film, Toots and the Upside Down House, that was based on the book by Carol Hughes where a young girl still grieving over the death of her mother goes to a fantasy world inside her home when her dad still won't pay attention to her, where goblins, fairies and sprites live while helping the fairies battle an evil Jack Frost.{{cite news | title='The Advanced Art of Stop-Motion Animation': History of Stop-Motion Feature Films: Part 2 | url=http://www.awn.com/animationworld/advanced-art-stop-motion-animation-history-stop-motion-feature-films-part-2 | last=Priebe | first=Ken | publisher=Animation World Network | quote="The relationship between Disney’s company Miramax and Henry Selick also became strained, as plans for another feature called Toots and the Upside Down House were abandoned. | accessdate=January 4, 2015 | date=January 26, 2011}} Burton was attached to produce it, while Henry Selick was set to direct it (marking the third collaboration between Selick and Burton), with the screenplay written by Steven Soderbergh and co-produced by Disney's film partner at the time Miramax, which would have made it the first original animated film made by the company. However, Disney shut down the film's production, along with Skellington Productions, after the poor box office results of James and the Giant Peach.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019190047/http://animationarchive.net/Deleted%20Movies/Toots%20and%20the%20Upside%20Down%20House/ | url=http://animationarchive.net/Deleted%20Movies/Toots%20and%20the%20Upside%20Down%20House/ | title=Disney Animation Archive: Deleted Movies/Toots and the Upside Down House/index.php |publisher=Animationarchive.net |archivedate=2013-10-19 |accessdate=2013-04-01}}
=''Superman Lives''=
{{main|Superman in film#Superman Lives}}
After Kevin Smith had been hired to rewrite a script called Superman Reborn, he suggested Burton to direct.{{cite news|author=Edward Gross |title=SUPERMAN LIVES, Part 2: Writer Kevin Smith |work=Mania Movies |url=http://www.mania.com/21118.html |date=May 12, 2000 |accessdate=2008-02-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214075754/http://www.mania.com/21118.html |archivedate=February 14, 2008 }} It was Smith who convinced Warner Bros. to change the title to Superman Lives. Burton signed on with a pay-or-play contract of $5 million and Warner Bros. set a theatrical release date for the summer of 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in Action Comics.{{cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=David|title=The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made|date=2008|publisher=Titan Books|location=London|isbn=9781845767556|edition=1st revised and expanded}}{{cite book | author = Ken Hanke | title = Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker | year = 1999 | publisher = Renaissance Books | pages = 213–8 | isbn = 1-58063-162-2}} Nicolas Cage was signed on to play Superman, with a $20 million pay-or-play contract, believing he could "reconceive the character".{{rp|192}} Producer Jon Peters felt Cage could "convince audiences he [Superman] came from outer space."{{cite book|last1=Griffin|first1=Nancy|last2=Masters|first2=Kim|title=Hit and Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber took Sony for a ride in Hollywood|url=https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif|url-access=registration|date=1996|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=New York|isbn=0684809311|page=[https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/463 463]}} Burton explained Cage's casting would be "the first time you would believe that nobody could recognize Clark Kent as Superman, he [Cage] could physically change his persona."{{cite book|last1=Salisbury|first1=Mark|title=Burton on Burton|date=2006|publisher=Faber and Faber|location=London|isbn=0571229263|page=154|edition=Revised}} Kevin Spacey was approached for the role of Lex Luthor, while Christopher Walken was Burton's choice for Brainiac,Tim Burton, Jon Schnepp, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?, 2015 a role also considered for Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman. Sandra Bullock, Courteney Cox and Julianne Moore had been approached for Lois Lane, while Chris Rock was cast as Jimmy Olsen. Michael Keaton confirmed his involvement, but when asked if he would be reprising his role as Batman from Burton's Batman films, he would only reply, "Not exactly."
Burton immediately hired Wesley Strick to write a completely different story about the death and return of Superman. The film entered pre-production in June 1997. Filming was originally set to begin in early 1998.{{cite news|author=Anita M. Busch|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117434174|title=Helmer Gilliam readies 'Defective,' 'Loathing'|work=Variety|date=April 22, 1997|accessdate=2008-04-06}} Burton chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as his primary filming location for Metropolis, while start dates for filming were pushed back.{{rp|197}} For budgetary reasons, Warner Bros. ordered another rewrite from Dan Gilroy, delayed the film and ultimately put it on hold in April 1998. Burton then left to direct Sleepy Hollow. Burton has depicted the experience as a difficult one, citing differences with producer Jon Peters and the studio, stating, "I basically wasted a year. A year is a long time to be working with somebody that you don't really want to be working with."{{cite book|author=Paul A. Woods|title=Tim Burton: A Child's Garden of Nightmares|year=2007|publisher= Plexus Publishing|page=150|isbn=978-0-85965-401-2}}
=''Goosebumps''=
When the Goosebumps film was in early production and was going to be made by 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, Burton was originally going to produce it in 1998, with the option to direct.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/1998/01/09/new-simon-schuster-lands-dimaggio-bio-goosebumps-headed-big-screen|title=New Simon & Schuster lands DiMaggio bio, 'Goosebumps' headed to big screen|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=9 January 1998}} However, the project fell through and was later sold to Sony Pictures Entertainment, resulting in the 2015 film directed by Rob Letterman and composed by Tim's friend Danny Elfman.
=''X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes''=
Burton developed a script for a remake of the 1963 science fiction B-film X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes with writer Bryan Goluboff, but it went unproduced.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/lists-top-10-tim-burton-movies-that-never-happened/|title=TOP 10 TIM BURTON MOVIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED|last=Maidy|first=Alex|website=JoBlo|accessdate=September 30, 2016|date=July 18, 2018}}
=''Black Sunday''=
Around this time, Burton considered directing a remake of the 1960 Italian horror film Black Sunday.Burton, Tim. Interviewed in the documentary Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre, 2000, Image EntertainmentLucas, Tim Mario Bava All the Colors of the Dark, Video Watchdog, 2007. {{ISBN|0-9633756-1-X}}
2000s
=''Tim Burton's Lost in Oz''=
Tim Burton's Lost in Oz would be a television series based on L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz book series. Burton would be its executive producer. A pilot episode was filmed in 2000, but the series became unproduced due to budget constraints.{{MobyGames|game/wizard-of-oz}} – [http://mocagh.org/loadpage.php?getgame=wizardoz The Wizard of Oz] at the Museum of Computer Adventure Game History – [http://www.lysator.liu.se/adventure/Telarium_Corporation.html Telarium Corporation] at Adventureland
=''Ripley's Believe It or Not!''=
{{More|Ripley's Believe It or Not!#Proposed film}}
During the mid-2000s, Burton was scheduled to direct a film based on the famous Ripley's Believe It or Not! franchise, with Jim Carrey portraying Robert Ripley and a script by Ed Wood scribes Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski; the film ran over budget however, and was shelved by Paramount Pictures.{{cite news|title=Burton, Carrey May Believe|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/29/burton-carrey-may-believe|accessdate=2017-05-23|work=IGN|date=2005-11-29}} Burton moved on to direct Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|last2=Gardner|first2=Chris|title=Burton takes rain check on Par pic|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/features/burton-takes-rain-check-on-par-pic-1200337853/|accessdate=2017-05-23|work=Variety|date=2006-06-12}}{{cite news|title=Burton, Carrey put 'Believe' on hold|url=https://variety.com/2006/more/news/burton-carrey-put-believe-on-hold-1200337840/|accessdate=2017-05-23|work=Variety|date=2006-06-12}} and on October 23, 2008, Chris Columbus took over the Ripley's Believe It or Not! film, with Carrey still portraying Ripley,{{cite news|title=Chris Columbus in talks for 'Ripley's'|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/features/chris-columbus-in-talks-for-ripley-s-1117994548/|date=October 23, 2008|website=Variety|access-date=February 18, 2020}} and on January 12, 2011, it was reported that Eric Roth will write a new script.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/paramount-reviving-ripleys-believe-it-or-not-with-eric-roth-96116/|title=Paramount Reviving 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' With Eric Roth|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=13 January 2011|website=Deadline Hollywood|accessdate=30 September 2016}}
=''The Nightmare Before Christmas 2''=
In 2001, The Walt Disney Company began to consider producing a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas, but rather than using stop motion, Disney wanted to use computer animation.{{cite news | author = Fred Topel | title = Director Henry Selick Interview – The Nightmare Before Christmas | date = August 25, 2008 | work = About.com | url = http://movies.about.com/od/nightmarebeforechristmas/a/nightmare082508.htm | accessdate = September 27, 2008 | archive-date = September 25, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080925081930/http://movies.about.com/od/nightmarebeforechristmas/a/nightmare082508.htm | url-status = dead }} Burton convinced Disney to drop the idea. "I was always very protective of Nightmare not to do sequels or things of that kind," Burton explained. "You know, 'Jack visits Thanksgiving world' or other kinds of things just because I felt the movie had a purity to it and the people that like it... Because it's a mass-market kind of thing, it was important to kind of keep that purity of it."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427204950/http://www.mtv.com/news/movies/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2014|title=News – Entertainment, Music, Movies, Celebrity|website=MTV}}
In 2009, Selick said he would do a film sequel if he and Burton could create a good story for it.{{cite web|url=http://blastr.com/2009/02/how-possible-is-a-sequel-to-nightmare-before-christmas.php|title=How possible is a sequel to Nightmare Before Christmas?|work=Blastr|date=February 1, 2009|last=Otto|first=Jack|accessdate=January 6, 2011|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708013345/http://blastr.com/2009/02/how-possible-is-a-sequel-to-nightmare-before-christmas.php|url-status=dead}} In February 2019, it was reported that a new Nightmare Before Christmas film was in the works, with Disney considering either a stop-motion sequel or live-action remake.{{cite web |last1=Lowery |first1=Mike |title=Exclusive : Talks underway for Nightmare Before Christmas follow-up |url=https://moviehole.net/exclusive-talks-underway-for-nightmare-before-christmas-follow-up/ |website=Moviehole |date=10 February 2019 |accessdate=10 February 2019}} In October 2019, Chris Sarandon expressed interest on reprising his role as Jack Skellington if a sequel film ever materializes.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/nightmare-before-christmas-sequel-jack-skellington-actor-return-chris-sarandon/|title=The Nightmare Before Christmas Star Would Crawl Across the Country to Play Jack Skellington in a Sequel|work=ComicBook.com|date=October 10, 2020|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|accessdate=June 1, 2020}}
=''Planets of the Apes'' sequel=
After the financial success of Planet of the Apes, Burton supposed that 20th Century Fox would hire him to make a sequel, that was planned to explain the cliffhanger ending of the first film,{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/What-Really-Happened-End-Planet-Apes-Tim-Roth-Finally-Explains-68904.html|title=What Really Happened At The End Of Planet Of The Apes? Tim Roth Finally Explains – CINEMABLEND|date=29 December 2014}} but instead the studio decided to reboot the franchise and in 2011, released Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
=''Batman: The Musical''=
In 2002, Burton, Jim Steinman, and David Ives had worked on a theatre production called Batman: The Musical. Steinman has revealed five songs from the musical. The first is the opening theme for "Gotham City" and the entry of Batman with his tortured solo "The Graveyard Shift"; followed by "The Joker's Song (Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?)", "The Catwoman's Song (I Need All The Love I Can Get)", "We're Still The Children We Once Were" (the climactic sequence) and "In The Land Of The Pig The Butcher Is King", sung by the corrupt blood-suckers ruling Gotham, covered on the Meat Loaf album Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose. After production was cancelled, these songs were released on the Batman: The Musical memorial site.[https://batman_themusical.webs.com/home.htm Dark Knight of the Soul]
=''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' musical=
During production on the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a Broadway musical was planned to accompany it. The studio and Burton reiterated their interest in May 2003,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/warners-takes-whack-at-wonka-1117886719/|title=Warners takes whack at 'Wonka'|website=variety|author=Michael Fleming|date=May 21, 2003|accessdate=October 23, 2018}} however, the project was cancelled by the time the film was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-06-ca-chocolate6-story.html|title=A nuttier 'Chocolate'|website=Los Angeles Times|author=John Horn|date=February 6, 2005|access-date=October 23, 2018}}
=''9'' sequel=
In an interview with 9 director Shane Acker: "I think there is definitely room. I mean, the way we end the film, there is a slight suggestion that it may be a new beginning. And I think we could continue the journey from where we left off and see how these creatures are existing in a world in which the natural environment is coming back and perhaps even threatening them in some way. Do they make the decision to not affect it, or do they try to affect it in some way? And do they still try to hold on to that humanity within them or do they recognize themselves at being machines too and go off on a different trajectory? So there's lots of idea that I think that we could play with and make another story out of."{{cite news|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/a-9-sequel|title=Shane Acker reveals possible plot for a sequel to 9|date=August 23, 2009|accessdate=January 16, 2013|website=joblo.com|publisher=The Arrow}}
No plans for a sequel have been made, but possibilities were mentioned via the film's 2009 DVD commentary. Director Acker has also mentioned the possibility of a sequel being made because of the lack of darker animated films, claiming that everything is G- and PG-rated with little to no dark elements. In 2009 he said that he will continue to make darker animated films, either doing so with a sequel to 9 or original ideas for future films.{{cite news|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/shane-acker-talks-sequel-to-9-plus-more-pg-13-animation/|work=firstshowing.net|title=Shane Acker talks possibility of a sequel to 9|date=September 3, 2009|accessdate=January 16, 2012|publisher=Alex Billington}} Before the theatrical release of the film, Acker and Tim Burton stated they were open for a sequel, depending on how well the film was received.{{cite news|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Shane-Acker-Is-Open-To-A-9-Sequel-14638.html|title=Shane Acker says he is open to a sequel to 9|date=September 3, 2009|accessdate=February 21, 2012|work=Cinema Blend|publisher=Perri Nemiroff|archive-date=June 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615181037/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/shane-acker-is-open-to-a-9-sequel-14638.html|url-status=dead}} Since the film's home release, there have been no further mentions of a sequel, with Acker focusing on projects announced in 2012 (Deep) and 2013 (Beasts of Burden), neither of which have been released as of December 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/director-shane-acker-9-irelands-brown-bag-films-producer-gregory-r-little-and-author-j-barton-mitchell-launch-animated-undersea-adventure-film-deep-64275.html|title=Director Shane Acker ("9"), Ireland's Brown Bag Films, Producer Gregory R. Little and Author J. Barton Mitchell Launch Animated Undersea Adventure Film "Deep"|last=Arrant|first=Chris|date=August 6, 2012|website=Cartoon Brew.com|accessdate=December 5, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Shane Acker to Direct Beasts of Burden|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=100599|last=Lesnick|first=Silas|accessdate=December 5, 2016|website=ComingSoon.net|date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=August 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802104015/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=100599|url-status=dead}}
2010s
=''Maleficent''=
In January 2010, it was announced that after Dark Shadows, Burton's next project would be Maleficent, a Wicked-like film that showed the origin and the past of Sleeping Beauty{{'}}s antagonist Maleficent. In an interview with Fandango published February 23, 2010, however, Burton denied he was directing any upcoming Sleeping Beauty film.{{cite web|title=Exclusive Interview: Tim Burton Creates a Wonderland|url=http://www.fandango.com/commentator_exclusiveinterview:timburtoncreatesawonderland_319|access-date=February 25, 2010|website=Fandango.com|date=February 23, 2010|author=Elisa Osegueda|archive-date=February 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227042643/http://www.fandango.com/commentator_exclusiveinterview:timburtoncreatesawonderland_319|url-status=dead}} However, on November 23, 2010, in an interview with MTV, Burton confirmed that he was indeed putting together a script for Maleficent.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2437985/tim-burton-dark-shadows-frankenweenie-maleficent-addams-family/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805080511/http://www.mtv.com/news/2437985/tim-burton-dark-shadows-frankenweenie-maleficent-addams-family/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2016|title=Tim Burton Talks Dark Shadows, Frankenweenie, Maleficent and The Addams Family!|publisher=MTV|date=November 23, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2022}} It was announced by The Hollywood Reporter on May 16, 2011, that Burton was no longer attached to Maleficent.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tim-burton-wont-direct-disneys-188700/|title=Tim Burton Won't Direct Disney's Maleficent|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Borys|last=Kit|date=May 16, 2011|access-date=March 2, 2022}}
=''The Addams Family'' stop-motion animated film=
{{main|The Addams Family#Canceled film}}
In March 2010, it was announced that Illumination Entertainment in partnership with Universal Pictures, had acquired the underlying rights to the Addams Family drawings.{{cite web |author=Mike Fleming |url=https://deadline.com/2010/03/tim-burton-next-3d-animated-film-da-da-da-snap-snap-the-addams-family-28841/ |title=Tim Burton's Next 3D Animated Film? Da Da Da Da, Snap Snap: 'The Addams Family' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2010-03-18 |access-date=2010-07-10}} The film was planned to be a stop-motion animated film based on Charles Addams' original drawings. Burton was set to co-write and co-produce the film, with a possibility to direct.{{cite web | first=Mike | last=Fleming | url=https://deadline.com/2010/08/tim-burton-reunites-with-ed-wood-scribes-for-addams-family-and-big-eyes-62229/ | title=Tim Burton Reunites With 'Ed Wood' Scribes For 'Addams Family' And 'Big Eyes' | website=Deadline Hollywood | date=2010-08-19 | access-date=2010-11-16}} In July 2013, it was reported that the film was cancelled when Universal and Illumination lost the rights.{{cite news|last=Debruge|first=Peter|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/|accessdate=July 18, 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=July 17, 2013|quote=At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. “Waldo” and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion “The Addams Family” are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn’t crack “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”}} On October 31, 2013, it was announced in Variety that MGM would be reviving The Addams Family as a CGI animated film with Pamela Pettler to write the screenplay and Andrew Mittman and Kevin Miserocchi to executive produce the film and were in final negotiations with BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun to produce.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/addams-family-reborn-as-animated-movie-at-mgm-exclusive-1200781652/|title='Addams Family' Reborn As Animated Movie at MGM (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Dave McNary|work=Variety|date=31 October 2013}} By October 2017, Conrad Vernon had been hired to direct the film, which he will also produce along with Berman and Alex Schwartz, based on a screenplay written by Pettler, with revisions by Matt Lieberman.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Sausage Party' Director Tackling 'The Addams Family' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sausage-party-director-tackling-addams-family-1048373|accessdate=October 14, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 12, 2017}} The film turned into the critically panned The Addams Family that was released on October 11, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/oscar-isaac-addams-family-gomez-1202642805/|title=Oscar Isaac in Talks to Voice Gomez Addams in Animated 'Addams Family'|website=Variety|date=December 15, 2017|accessdate=December 16, 2017}} Burton would eventually return to the property in 2020, helping to develop Wednesday with Miles Millar and Alfred Gough as showrunners.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2020/10/tim-burton-addams-family-tv-series-1234601840/|title= 'Addams Family' Live-Action TV Series From Tim Burton Heats Up TV Marketplace|date= October 22, 2020|accessdate= October 25, 2020|first= Justin|last= Kroll|work= Deadline}}
=''Monsterpocalypse''=
In May 2010, DreamWorks announced that it had acquired the rights to a film adaptation of Monsterpocalypse, a Kaiju-themed collectible miniatures game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37939/tim-burton-and-john-august-reteam-bring-us-a-monsterpocalypse|title=Tim Burton and John August Reteam to Bring Us a Monsterpocalypse?|work=DreadCentral|date=October 2012}} The studio had approached Burton for the project.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20519|title=Tim Burton and John August Reteaming for 'Monsterpocalypse'? – Bloody Disgusting!|date=10 June 2010|accessdate=30 September 2016}} On July 19, 2010, it was confirmed that Burton was attached to direct,Peter Sciretta (2010-07-19) [https://www.slashfilm.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-tim-burton-developing-monsterpocalypse-full-details-revealed/ " Exclusive: Tim Burton Developing Monsterpocalypse, Full Details Revealed".] but the film went unproduced partly due to Guillermo del Toro making his own Kaiju film called Pacific Rim in 2013. However, on May 3, 2016, Warner Bros acquired the project and hired Fede Álvarez to direct and co-write the film with Rodo Sayagues.{{cite web|first=Borys|last=Kit|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/monsterpocalypse-movie-warner-bros-wins-890002|title=Warner Bros. Nabbing 'Monsterpocalypse' Movie Rights in Bidding War (Exclusive)|date=3 May 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=15 April 2018}}
=''Alice in Wonderland'' musical=
Stage adaptation Walt Disney Theatrical was in early talks with Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton to develop Alice in Wonderland as a Broadway musical. Woolverton authored the screenplay for Disney's The Lion King and is also the Tony Award-nominated book writer of Beauty and the Beast, Aida, and Lestat. Burton would have also rendered the overall designs for the stage musical. Woolverton would have adapted her screenplay for the stage production. Direction and choreography would have been done by Rob Ashford.[http://playbill.com/news/article/160824-Tony-Winner-Rob-Ashford-to-Stage-Disneys-Alice-in-Wonderland-Musical Tony Winner Rob Ashford to Stage Disney's Alice in Wonderland Musical] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317215646/http://playbill.com/news/article/160824-Tony-Winner-Rob-Ashford-to-Stage-Disneys-Alice-in-Wonderland-Musical |date=March 17, 2012 }}. Playbill.com (March 16, 2012). Retrieved on March 17, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/140336-EXCLUSIVE-Disney-Eyes-Tim-Burtons-Alice-in-Wonderland-for-Stage-Musical |title=EXCLUSIVE: Disney Eyes Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" for Stage Musical |publisher=Playbill.com |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=January 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706232949/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/140336-EXCLUSIVE-Disney-Eyes-Tim-Burtons-Alice-in-Wonderland-for-Stage-Musical |archivedate=July 6, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/FREAKY_FRIDAY_THE_JUNGLE_BOOK_Tim_Burtons_ALICE_IN_WONDERLAND_DUMBO_FATHER_OF_THE_BRIDE_in_the_Works_for_Disney_Theatrical_20110312 |title=FREAKY FRIDAY, THE JUNGLE BOOK, Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, DUMBO & FATHER OF THE BRIDE in the Works for Disney Theatrical |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |date=March 12, 2011 |accessdate=January 8, 2012}} The musical was aiming to make its world-premiere in London.[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118051515 Disney taps director for Broadway 'Alice']. Variety.com (March 13, 2011). Retrieved on March 17, 2013.
=''The Hunchback of Notre-Dame''=
In March 2011, it was announced that Burton was attached to direct a film of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which was supposed to feature and be co-produced by Josh Brolin, but the film has been scrapped.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150612195701/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/11/josh-brolin-hunchback-of-notre-dame/ Josh Brolin Excited To Play 'Funky' Hunchback Of Notre Dame]. MTV. May 11, 2015[https://www.ew.com/article/2011/03/01/josh-brolin-tim-burton-hunchback-of-notre-dame How ugly will Josh Brolin's Hunchback of Notre Dame be? Entertainment Weekly. March 1 2011.]
=''Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales''=
In June 2011, it was reported that Burton was being considered to be selected as the director for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the fifth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series,{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sam-Raimi-Shawn-Levy-And-Others-Being-Considered-For-Pirates-5-Directing-Job-25007.html|title=Sam Raimi, Shawn Levy And Others Being Considered For Pirates 5 Directing Job – CINEMABLEND|date=1 June 2011}} but he chose to direct Frankenweenie.
=''Dark Shadows'' sequel=
On December 7, 2011, Pfeiffer told MTV that she is hoping sequels will be made for the film.{{cite web |last=Warner |first=Kara |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/07/michelle-pfeiffer-dark-shadows-sequels |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105223916/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/07/michelle-pfeiffer-dark-shadows-sequels/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Hoping For 'Dark Shadows' Sequels |publisher=MTV |date=December 7, 2011 |accessdate=December 7, 2011}} On May 8, 2012, Variety reported that Warner Bros. may want to turn Dark Shadows into a film franchise.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053697 |title='Dark Shadows' sharp enough for franchise? |publisher=Variety |date=May 8, 2012}} On May 18, 2012, Collider mentioned that the ending of Dark Shadows lends itself to a possible sequel.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053697 |title='Dark Shadows' sharp enough for franchise? |publisher=Variety |date= May 8, 2012}} When Burton was asked if he thought that this could be a possible start to a franchise, he replied, "No. Because of the nature of it being like a soap opera, that was the structure. It wasn't a conscious decision. First of all, it's a bit presumptuous to think that. If something works out, that's one thing, but you can't ever predict that. The ending had more to do with the soap opera structure of it."{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/johnny-depp-tim-burton-dark-shadows-interview/|title=Johnny Depp and Tim Burton Talk DARK SHADOWS, Pulling from the TV Series, Deleted Scenes, a Sequel and More|date=8 May 2012|publisher=collider}}
=''Pinocchio''=
Robert Downey Jr. enlisted Burton to direct a Warner Bros. retelling of The Adventures of Pinocchio in 2012. Burton pursued Big Eyes and Ben Stiller was attached to direct.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/robert-downey-jr-pinocchio-movie-gepetto|title=Robert Downey Jr. to Play Both Pinocchio and Geppetto in Ben Stiller's 'Pinocchio'|date=15 July 2013|publisher=screenrant|accessdate=30 September 2016}}
=''Deep''=
On June 11, 2012, Shane Acker confirmed that Burton would work with Valve to create his next animated feature film, Deep. Like 9, the film will take place in a post-apocalyptic world (although set in a different universe). Deep would have been another darker animated film, as Shane Acker has expressed his interest in creating more PG-13 animated films.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/shane-acker-valve-deep-movie-sandy-178699/|title='9′ Director Teaming With Valve for Post-Apocalyptic Animated Film, 'Deep'|publisher=Screenrant.com|date=June 11, 2012|accessdate=January 7, 2013}} Since then, there has been no further announcements. However, despite the silence from Acker, in January 2017, the Facebook profile of the character "the Scientist" was updated with a rather cryptic message. The profile had been inactive since 2009, leading some to speculate the teasing of a sequel.{{cite news|title=The light has faintly flickered on again beneath the ashes and I have begun the long awaited search for hope... I must find 9|url=https://www.facebook.com/9scientist/posts/10154523211844915|accessdate=November 30, 2017|website=facebook.com|date=January 20, 2017}}
=''The Last American Vampire''=
On June 22, 2012, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on novel of the same name, was released to theaters, with Timur Bekmambetov as director and Burton in a producing role, leading to speculation that the sequel book The Last American Vampire would be adapted as well.[https://www.amazon.com/Last-American-Vampire-Seth-Grahame-Smith/dp/145550212X/ The Last American Vampire]{{cite web|title="Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" Holds NYC Premiere|work=GossipCenter|url=http://www.gossipcenter.com/abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter/abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter-holds-nyc-premiere-678430|accessdate=June 19, 2012}} However, due to the film bombing in the box office and poor critical receptions, talks of a sequel were stalled.{{cite web|url=https://fastlane.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/Film/FilmSearchDetails.aspx?ProjNum=mdnEXvMkmXVY5YzEu4fUIw%3d%3d|title=Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Budget Info|date=June 15, 2011|website=Louisiana Economic Development|access-date=August 9, 2016}}[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=abrahamlincolnvampirehunter.htm Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)]. Box Office Mojo (2012-09-20). Retrieved on 2013-08-25.[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/abraham_lincoln_vampire_hunter/ Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – Movie Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes][https://www.metacritic.com/movie/abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More – Metacritic] In October 2018, it was announced that NBC had given a "script commitment plus penalty" to a television adaptation of the novel from author Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg, Terry Matalas, and 20th Century Fox Television. Matalas would write the series and executive-produce alongside Grahame-Smith and Katzenberg.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/the-last-american-vampire-drama-book-seth-grahame-smith-david-katzenberg-terry-matalas-1202480596/|title='The Last American Vampire' Drama Based On Book From Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg & Terry Matalas Set At NBC|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2024}} It was to be on Quibi, but with the shuttering of the streaming service in December 2020, development on the show ceased.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=October 21, 2020 |title=As Quibi Shutters, So Goes Nearly $2 Billion in Major Hollywood Investments |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/quibi-shuts-down-hollywood-investoes-1234812522/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
=''Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'' sequels=
On September 30, 2016, Burton's adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was released, leading to speculation that the sequel novels (Hollow City and Library of Souls) would be adapted as well.{{Cite magazine |url=http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/05/29/miss-peregrine-peculiar-children-book-2/ |title=See the title and an excerpt from the sequel to 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' – EXCLUSIVE |last=Lee |first=Stephan |date=May 29, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |accessdate=June 4, 2013}} However, due to the mediocre box office returns of Peculiar Children, talks of a sequel have been scrapped.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=peregrine.htm|title=Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)|website=Box Office Mojo|accessdate=May 16, 2017}}
2020s
=Untitled Paul Reubens project=
On September 9, 2023, Burton commented to The Independent that he had "a weird idea" for another project with Paul Reubens in what would have been their fourth collaboration after working together in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Batman Returns and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The idea was naturally dropped following Reubens' unexpected death on July 30, 2023.{{cite news|last=Macnab|first=Geoffrey|title=Tim Burton on cancel culture and his Beetlejuice sequel: 'I used to think about society as like the angry villagers in Frankenstein'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/tim-burton-beetlejuice-2-johnny-depp-disney-b2406538.html|accessdate=September 10, 2023|newspaper=The Independent|date=September 9, 2023}}
=''Attack of the 50 Foot Woman''=
In February 2024, Variety reported that Burton and Gone Girl writer Gillian Flynn were developing a remake of Nathan H. Juran's film Attack of the 50 Foot Woman for Warner Bros.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/tim-burton-gillian-flynn-remake-attack-fifty-foot-woman-1235894570/ |title=Tim Burton to Direct 'Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman' Remake With 'Gone Girl' Author Gillian Flynn |website=Variety |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |date=February 1, 2024 |access-date=February 1, 2024}} However, in November, Burton would downplay his involvement in the film, stating he had no projects at that moment.{{cite web |last1=Goodfellow |first1=Melanie |title=Tim Burton Plays Down Involvement In 'Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman' Reboot & Reveals Donald Trump Dream – Marrakech |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/tim-burton-plays-down-involvement-attack-of-the-50-foot-woman-reboot-donald-trump-dream-marrakech-1236190252/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=December 20, 2024 |date=November 30, 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book | first = Ken |last=Hanke | title = Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker | publisher = Renaissance Books | year = 1999 | isbn = 1580631622 | location = Los Angeles}}
- {{cite book |last1=Salisbury |first1=Mark |last2=Burton |first2=Tim |title=Burton on Burton |url=https://archive.org/details/burtononburton0000burt/ |publisher=Faber and Faber |year=2000 |isbn=0-57120-507-0 |url-access=registration}}
- {{cite book |last1=Salisbury |first1=Mark |last2=Burton |first2=Tim | title = Burton on Burton | publisher = Faber and Faber | year = 2006 | isbn = 0571229263 | location = London}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
{{Tim Burton}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tim Burton, unrealized projects}}